Combination tjjse cover and hub cap



Aug'. 24, 1937. G. A. LYON CMBINATION TIRE COVER AND HUB CAPy Original Filed Sept. 9, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l V517 Dr @@0279 /e'f/ yan Aug. 24, 1937. G. A. LYON COMBINATION TIRE COVER AND HUB CAP Original Filed Sept. 9, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Reissued Aug. 24, 1937 UNITED STATES poration of Delaware 21 Claims.

This invention relates to tire and wheel covers and more particularly to a combination cover and hub cap in which a central part of the cover is utilized as a hub cap for the wheel on which the cover is disposed.

It is at present the practice to provide a cover for a tire or wheel separate from the hub cap so that for every Wheel installation two parts or devices are necessary, namely, the cover and hub f cap, in order to dress up the installation. Needless to say, the use of two parts as distinguished from one is costly'and involves more time in the application of the parts to the tire than would be the case if the two parts were combined in one.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a tire or wheel cover with a centrally disposed hub cap which is an integral part of the cover so that the single device suflices to serve the purposes of the two former parts, namely, the cover and separate hub cap.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved cover construction which is centralized by means of a central part formed for cooperation with the hub of the wheel.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate several embodiments thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a cover embodying the features of this invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the cover shown in Figure 1 and illustrating the cover as being applied to a spare tire;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line III-III of Figure l, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of the hub cap part of the cover showing the 40 manner in which it cooperates with the hub of the spare wheel;

Figure'5 is a fragmentary detail view partly in section of a modification of the invention involving the use of a centrally controlled locking 45 means for securing the hub cap to the wheel hub, whereby the hub cap and cover are both locked to the wheel hub and whereby unauthorized access to the interior of the hub for removal of the wheel from the carrier is precluded; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line VI-VI of Figure 5, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Although the specific embodiments of this invention, as will hereafter be described, relate to 55 covers of the type which are usually applied to Re. Zfiti PATENT OFFICE COB/IBINATION TIRE COVER AND HUB CAP George Albert Lyon, Allenhurst, N. J., assigner to Lyon Incorporated., Asbury Park, N. J., a cor- Original No. 1,991,326, dated February 12, 1935,

Serial No. 632,423, September 9, 1932. Application for reissue November 6, 1936, Serial No.

(Cl. U50-54) in precisely the same manner as when used as V a' cover for spare wheels.

The cover illustrated in the drawings may be made of any suitable stiif sheet material, such,A for exannzile,Y as hard rubber, bakelite or metallic. sheet. It is however preferably made fromr steel sheet.

It may be fabricated in the form shown in Figures l to 3, inclusive, by any suitable manufac-A turing process, such, for example, as by spinning or rolling operations.

The unitary cover illustrated in the drawings comprises an open bottom tread covering portion i0 which has its rear marginal edge turned back upon itself to form a rolled edge, which edge is advantageous in that it tends to preclude a person handling the cover from cutting his hand by the edge. This rolled edge II is disposed adjacent and overhangs the rear side of the tread of vthe tire I2. The tread covering portion IU is substantially continuous for more than one-half the outer periphery of the tire, or, in other words, extends around substantially more than 189" of the tire periphery. The endsvof this tread cover-y ing or rim portion IU are cut on a bias or on a diagonal, as indicated at I 3, and these diagonally cut ends terminate in the side cover portion III of the cover.

This construction of the open bottom or split rim portion I0 enables the application of the cover to the tire by the flexing of the rear marginal portion of the rim below the upper half of the cover. This flexing occurs at the upper extremities of the diagonally cut ends I3 of the rim Il), and more particularly at the end portions I5 of the rim indicated in Figure 2. Thus, there is provided a cover which cannot be mounted on the tire without the flexing of portions 0f the rear margin of the rim I0 as the rim is shoved across the tread of the tire. In other words, as vthe spare tire -cover is shoved downwardlyY and laterally onto the spare tire, the portions of therear margin of the cover beyond the upper half of the cover, as indicated at I5 in Figure 2, flex so as to enable the open bottom rim portion I0 to clear the tread, whereby its ends thereafter hug under the tread to pull down the major portion of the cover part on the tire.

Both the rim and side portions III and I4 are of curved cross-section and are interiorly concave, as shown in Figure 3. In general, these two portions conform with the transverse curvature of the tread and outer side wall portions of the spare tire I2.

The side portion I4 has its outer margin formed into a ring of convex cross-section as designated at I6, which annular ring is connected at its outermost portion to the ring IG. The inner margin of this ring IS terminates in a circular depression I'I disposed inwardly of the tire. of the cover side I4 is bulged outwardly, as indicated at I8, beyond the outer side wall of the spare tire I2. The center of this outwardly bulged portion I8 is formed into a hub cap designated generally by the 'reference numeral 2B.

In the usual hub cap structure there is einployed a base made of any suitable metal, such, for example, as brass, with an outside covering of polished sheet, such, for example, as chromium, nickel or the like.

In my present hub cap structure 2D, there is employed a ring-like base which is substantially of conventional construction and which is designated by the reference numeral 2I. On this base, instead of using a polished outer sheet, I employ the central part of the cover to serve as an outside covering for the hub cap. This central part of the cover is designated by the reference numeral 22 and is curved to conform with the outer contour of the hub cap base 2|. At 23 the central part is depressed inwardly of the hub cap so as to xedly secure it thereto. The depression 23 is directed transversely and radially inward at an angle to cover portion I8, as shown in Figure 4, so that it forms a rentrant groove. This groove arrangement is advantageous in that it enables the hub cap to be secured tightly to the cover portion I8 in a simple but effective manner.

The hub cap 2| embodies the usual spring urged elements 24, which may be three in number, for engaging the inside of the outer edge of the Wheel hub 25 to secure the center of the cover and the hub cap to the wheel hub.

From the foregoing detailed description of the hub cap part of the cover, it will be evident that what I have done is to imbed the base of the hub cap structure firmly in the center part of the cover so that it in reality becomes a part of the cover and serves to secure the central part of the cover to the hub cap by means of the yieldable retaining elements. 24.

Furthermore, as best shown in Figure 3, when the cover and its hub cap are in proper position on the spare Wheel, unauthorized access to the fastening means 26 for securing the wheel hub 25 to the carrier 21 is precluded. That is to say it is not possible to have access to this fastening means 2E for the purpose of removing the spare wheel from the carrier 2l without first removing the cover and its hub cap entirely from the wheel. It follows therefore that if the cover is locked in place by any suitable means, such, for example, as a conventional clamping arm, then access to the interior of the hub is also precluded.

The cover and hub cap may be removed from the spare tire by pressing outwardly on the side plate portion Il from the rear side of the spare From this depression] 'I the central portion tire. For example, by passing a blunt tool or object from the back side of the spare tire and into engagement with the inner surface of the portion II and then exerting an outward pressure on that portion, the retaining elements 214 may be depressed inwardly to an extent suilicient to permit the hub cap to disengage from the hub so that the wheel and the integral hub cap may be removed as a unit from the spare wheel.

In Figures 5 and 6, I have illustrated a modication of the invention in which the hub cap 2U still comprises the hub cap base 2I' and a central part 22 of the outwardly bulging portion I3 of the cover side member I4', but differing' from the preferred embodiment of the invention in that the hub cap is provided with an integral and centrally disposed cylinder lock 3G. This lock 35 may be of any conventional key-operated type and has at its inner side a rotary member SI adapted to be actuated by a key inserted into the lock 3U from the exterior of the cover and hub cap. Since the rotation of this member 3i by the conventional lock structure 3U is obvious and well-known in the art, it is thought that no detailed description of the parts of the keyoperated lock are necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the present disclosure. Splined to this rotary member 3l is a circular plate or disc 32 to which is pivotally secured three radial arms 33 spaced equidistantly apart.

The outer end of each of the pivotal arms 33 is pivotally mounted on a` pin 34 carried by spaced arm 35 secured to the yieldable hub retaining element 24 which is carried on one end of a spring 3S fastened by rivets 3'! to the hub cap body 2V.

Now it will be evident that rotation of the disc 32 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 5 will cause the arms 33 to pivot and move the retaining elements 24 out oi engagement with the outer edge of the wheel hub 25 (Figure 6). 'I'he rotation of this disc 32 may be limited by the construction of the key-operated lock 3D.

Or" course, it follows that after the hub cap retaining elements 24 have been moved out of engagement with the outer edge of the wheel hub 25', the hub cap and cover may be removed from the spare wheel.

Now I desire it understood that although I have illustrated and described in detail the preferred embodiment of this invention, the invention is not to be thus limited but only insofar as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

v I claim as my invention:

1. As `an article of manufacture, a cover including a side covering portion of form-retaining material for disposition over the outer side Wall of a wheel, and a hub cap connected to the center of said side portion for holding engagement with the hub of the wheel.

2. As an article of manufacture, a cover including a side covering portion of form-retaining material for disposition over the outer side wall of a wheel, and a hub cap connected to the center of said side portion for holding engagement with the hub of the wheel, said hub cap being integral with said side covering portion and being removable as a unit with the cover.

3. As an article of manufacture, a cover including a side covering portion for disposition over the outer side wall of a wheel, and a hub cap connected to the center of said side portion for cooperation with the hub of the wheel, said hub cap including means for securing thecenter of the side portion of the cover to the Wheel hub.

4. As an article o-f manufacture, a cover including a side covering portion for disposition over the outer side wall of a wheel, and a hub cap connected to the center of said side portion for cooperation With the hub of the wheel, said hub cap including means for securing the center of thel side portion of the cover to the Wheel hub and having lock control means for releasing said hub cap securing means fromengagement with the wheel hub.

5. As an article of manufacture, a cover for a tire on a spare wheel including side and rim portions for disposition over the cuter side wall and tread respectively of a spare tire, said side portion being disk-like and having its central portion bulged outwardly away from the tire and provided with an integr-al hub cap for holding engagement with the hub of the spare wheel.

6. As an article of manufacture, a cover for a tire on a spare wheel including side and rim portions for disposition over the outer side wall and tread respectively of a spare tire, said side portion being disk-like and having its central portion bulged outwardly away from the tire and provided with an. integral hub cap for holding engagement with the hub of the spare wheel, the central portion of said disk-like side constituting the outerl metallic sheet covering for said hub cap.

7. As an article of manufacture, a oever for a tire on a spare wheel including side and rim portions for disposition over the cuter side wall and tread respectively of a spare tire, said side portion being disk-like and having its central portion` bulged outwardly away from the tireand provided with an integral hub cap for holding engagement with the hub of the spare wheel, and lock controlled means in said hub cap accessible from the exterior of said cover for locking and releasing said hub cap to and from said wheel hub.

8. As an article of manufacture, a cover ier a tire on a spare wheel including side and rim portions for disposition over the outer sidewall and tread respectively of -a spare tire, said side portion being disk-like and having its central portion bulged outwardly away from the tire and provided with an integral hub cap for coopera.- tion with thel hub of the spare wheel, and lock controlled means in4 said hub cap accessible from the exterior of said cover for locking and releasing said hub cap to and from said wheel hub including a rotatable element having extending therefrom radial arms connected at their outer ends to retaining means on said hub cap.

9. As an article of manufacture, a combination cover for a wheel, and a hub cap forl cooperation with the hub of said wheel, said hub cap being integral with the center of the cover and arranged to engage said wheel hub and center the cover on said wheel.

10. As an article of manufacture, a combination cover for a` wheel, and a hub cap for cooperation with the hub of said Wheel, said hub cap bein-g integral with the center of the cover and arranged to engage said Wheel hub and center the cover on said wheel, means accessible ,from the exterior or the cover for locking the hub cap to said hub to prevent unauthorized removal ofthe cover and hub cap from the wheel.

l1. In combination with a carrier and a spare wheel and tire mounted thereon, a tire and wheel cover including connecting means arranged to be interlocked with the hub of the wheel independently' of the means mounting the wheel ou the carrier to thereby enable the cover to be mounted and removed without disturbing the wheel mounting means, the first means being centrally disposed relative to the cover whereby to center the same when the nrst means is interlocked with'the wheel hub, said Vcover being otherwise out of engagement With'said wheel. 12. In combination with a carrier and a wheel and tire mounted thereon, together with releasable mounting means accessible through the hub of the wheel from the outer' side of the Wheel, whereby the spare wheel is detachably mounted on the carrier', a combination cover for the tire and spare wheel, and means integral v. th the center of the cover and arranged to eng said Wheel hub and center the cover on the and close the hub from the outer side, and me accessible from the exterior of the cover for loci:- ing the engaging means on said hub to prevent unauthorized remo-Val of the cover from the spare l wheel and to prevent unauthorized access to said mounting means.

13. As an article of manufacture, a cover 4for a tire on a spare wheel, said cover including and rim portions for disposition over the outer side wall and tread respectively of a spare tire, said side portion being disk-like and having its central portion bulged outwardly away from the tire and provided with an integral .huh cap for holding engagement with the hub of the spare Wheel, the central portion of said disk-like side constituting the outer metallic sheet covering for said hub cap, said covering embracing said cap` and permanently securing the cap to the cover and protecting the cap.

14. As an article of manufacture, a spare wheel and tirey cover including a side covering portion for disposition over the outer side wall oi a spare wheel and instrumentalities connected to the center of said side portion for cooperation with the hub of the spare wheel, said instrunie italities including snap-ony means for releasably7 securing the center of the side portion of the cover to the wheel hub, said side cover portion bearing at its center directly on the outer face of the wheel hub and being clamped thereto by said snap-on means but being' otherwise not supported by the wheel.

15. As an article of manufacture, a spare wheel and tire cover including a side covering portion for disposition over the outer side wall of a spare wheel and instrumentalities connected to the center of said side portion for cooperation with the hub of the spare wheel, said instrumentalities including means for securing the center of the side portion of the cover toI the wheel hub, said means being the sole means by which the cover is centered and supported from the wheel.

16. A tire cover including a side-disk-like portion to cover a side wall of the tire and the adjacent' side of a spare wheel, saidside portion having a central socket constricted at its mouth, means formed to be mounted on the hubv of the spare wheel and having a head disposed in said socket and being reduced to pass through the constriction whereby said means. is permanently mounted on said cover and, when said means is mounted on the wheel hub, the cover is centered and mounted in proper tire protecting position.

1'7. In a spare wheel and cover assembly including a Wheel having a central hub and belll ing secured to a supporting member internally of said hub, a spare tire and wheel cover having a side portion provided with a central opening, a hub cap disposed in lsaid opening, and means for locking said hub cap against removal from the wheel and hub assembly to prevent unauthorized access to the part of the wheel secured internally of said hub to the supporting member, said locking means cooperating with said hub and thereby locking the cap and said cover to said hub.

18. In a spare wheel and cover assembly including a wheel having a central hub and being secured to a supporting member internally 0f said hub, a spare tire and. wheel cover having a side portion provided with a central opening, a hub cap disposed in said opening, and means for locking said hub cap against removal from the wheel and hub assembly to prevent unauthorized access to the part of the wheel secured internally of said hub to the supporting member, said locking means cooperating with said hub and thereby locking the cap and said cover to said hub, said side portion of the cover being secured to said Wheel internally of said Wheel hub.

19. As an article of manufacture, an ornamenn tal cover member for disposition over the outer side of a wheel having a centrally disposed outwardly extending protuberance therein simulating a hub cap, a hub cap integrally secured to the underside of said member within said protuberance, and an annular reentrant groove in said cover member in proximity to the outer edge of said protuberance, whereby said hub cap is clinched to said cover member by the grooved portion of said cover member, said hub cap being adapted to engage the hubof the wheel to support said ornamental member thereon.

20. As an article of manufacture, a cover for a tire on a spare' Wheel, said cover including side and rim portions for disposition over the outer side Wall and tread respectively of a spare tire, said side portion being disk-like and having its central portion bulged outwardly away from the tire and provided with an integral hub cap for holding engagement with the hub of the spare wheel, the central portion of said disk-like side constituting the outer metallic sheet covering for said hub cap, said covering embracing said cap andgpermanently securing the cap to the cover and protecting the cap, said cap` being secured to said covering by a reentrant angular depression in the covering about the outer periphery of the cap.

21. As an article 0i manufacture, a circular metallic shell for disposition over an outer side Wall of a Wheel and having a concentric annular depression located radially inward of the outer periphery of said shell, and a circular member at the rear of said shell having an annular portion disposed radially inward of said depression, said annular depression being directed radially inwardly at a reentrant angle to clinch said annular portion to said shell.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON. 

